DISCLAIMER: Much time and energy has been put into producing this cap page. Yes, its accuracy is contingent upon the many public resources available, thus, the information is NOT 100% correct and there is no attempt to portray it as such. The discrepancies are directly proportional to the accuracy of the bonuses, the amount and how they are applied to the cap.

References and links will be added to help explain the basics of the cap and to give credence to the numbers presented for each and every player. Some links cover a number of players because they are members of the same draft class.

The salary cap page remains a work in progress. The content and style will be evaluated so as to produce the best page possible. Please send any questions, comments, or suggestions to AJ, Muck, or myself via PM on the message boards.

Robert Balistreri (a.k.a. clumpedplatelet)

Key Dates:

March 2 Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation.
Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contracts have expired.
March 3 Veteran free agency signing period begins.
Trading period begins.
March 28-April 1 NFL Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, Fla.
April 3 NFL Europe League regular season kicks off.
April 16 Signing period ends for restricted fre agents.
April 23 Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 24-25 NFL Draft, New York.
May 10-13 NFL Coaches Career Development Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
May 25-26 NFL Spring Metting, Jacksonville, Fla.
June 1 Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22.
Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights

Welcome to FinheavenĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s very own cap page. Yes, I know, why is a BillsĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ fan doing our cap page? Well, first off, the idea was advanced by AJ and Muck for me to do one. Second, I guess when people here direct questions to me asking for cap information, it shows that and I guess that IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve gained a general acceptance for my cap knowledge and this is one of the reasons I was asked.

Lastly, I have been working on my Miami cap spreadsheet for nearly 3 years and this is an excellent opportunity afforded me to showcase my work. However, IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve had help and must give kudos to some people: MiamiDonW (as he is known at KFFL) or Aqua here. HavenĂ˘â‚¬â„˘t seen him here very often but weĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve collaborated in the past and much of what IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve done has been reviewed by him, AJ & Muck for the opportunity to showcase my work, AdamJT13 at KFFL for providing me and many others with the cap adjustments (NLTBE debits/credits IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve referred to), Miguel at PatsFans.com for his work to provide an excellent cap & reference page, and Merman who has his own cap page at another Fins site and someone IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve just begun and will continue collaborating with, especially on the accuracy of the bonuses. I thank them all!

HereĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s a start on the references, more definitive references and links will be added and updated later:

Quick Notes:
I will briefly explain a few items that you see in the cap page.

N/A: Not available. IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘m still working on a breakdown of the cap implications of a release of these players. Applies differently for Ricky Williams because his 2004 salary is partially based on 2003 incentives. Once his future salaries are set, this will be updated.

Other Bonuses (according to the information IĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ve received):
Tim Bowens: He has a $1.8 million option payment. Due date is unknown but likely before free agency begins. If not paid, he becomes an UFA after 2004. Potentially, bonus amortization accelerates into 2004 if not paid. If paid, it is amortized over 2004-2006 at $600,000 per season and represents a $1.2 million cap savings on my sheet.

Jay Fiedler: He has a $2 million option bonus that activates 2006 due mid April 2004. If not paid, his amortization from 2006 will accelerate into just 2004 or both 2004 & 2005. This is one of the problems Merman and I have discussed and looking into. I do not believe the bonus counts on 2004 cap until exercised, thus I have his cap number as $4.8125 million////CHANGE 2/17: Using the USA Today database, Fielder's amortization apparently should be 1,112,500/season

Brian Griese: Has a $5.935 million roster bonus due March 1st, 2004

Sammy Knight: Has a $300,000 roster bonus. Due date unknown.

Brock Marion: Has a $500,000 roster bonus. Due date unknown.

Junior Seau: Has a $500,000 roster bonus. Due date unknown

Zach Thomas: Changes 2/17: Has $4.5 million roster bonus due March 3rd. If not paid, he becomes a UFA regardless, but that is highly unlikely. Since it will be paid as a signing bonus (guaranteed roster bonus treated as signing bonus), it is amortized from 2004-2008 at $900,000 per season. This represents a $3.6 million cap savings on my sheet. It's still likely that his salary will be converted to bonus as well. I will change that when it happens

Derrius Thompson: His $400,000 roster bonus guaranteed

A few other players have roster bonuses: Mark Dixon, Todd Perry, and Tim Ruddy. Those amounts can be seen in the Ă˘â‚¬Ĺ“Other BonusesĂ˘â‚¬Âť column.

Column Notes:
First three columns are self-explanatory.

Salary(Cap): This is primarily for players signing veteran minimum deals. But I will also use it to highlight players signed midseason. The Ă˘â‚¬Ĺ“SalaryĂ˘â‚¬Âť column will have the yearly salary and this column will have the prorated salary based on number of games.

2004 Dead Cap before 6/1: Player released prior to June 1st has ALL remaining bonus amortization accelerated in 2004 cap yearThis column also includes any bonuses that would not be paid if released before they are due

2004 Dead Cap after 6/1: Player released after 6/1 has 1 year of amortization (the number in this column) and the rest accelerates into 2005 cap year. There is an exception for players released after November 1st of League Year (this is why Tampa Bay did not release MeShawn).

2) Increase in Ricky Williams salary from $2.635 million to approx. $3.5 millionHis salary for 2004 & 2005 increased by $1.1 million to $3.735 million and $3.74 million respectively

3) Tender offers for restricted and exclusive rightsĂ˘â‚¬â„˘ free agents. If all were tendered at the minimum, except Ogunleye who is likely to be tendered with at least the 1st rd tender, this would add between $3.5-4 million to the capTender amounts have not been released as 1/20/04. I will work under the estimates of RFA: $675,000 for minimum, $1.5 million for 1st rd tender, and $1.95 million for 1st & 3rd rd tender. EFA: $400,000

4) Top 51 cap charges plus all other bonuses apply to the cap from the start of the League Year until the final 53-man roster is determined. Miami now has more than 51 players signed for 2004

5) I will update as new information becomes available.

I hope you find this interesting and informative. Stay tuned for my cap article that will come out soon.

LetĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s talk about the cap baby, letĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s talk about cap jail-e. LetĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s talk about all the good things and bad things that may be. LetĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s talk about the cap! LetĂ˘â‚¬â„˘s about the cap!

Clump

BlĂ‚Âˇtz Inc

12-30-2003, 08:14 PM

Most impressive. Thanks to everyone involved :clap:

Bling

12-30-2003, 08:50 PM

It's about time, clump.

P4E

12-30-2003, 08:56 PM

Clump, what can we say? Your contributions are awesome.

By putting all the data right there for everyone to see, it takes away from the "Oh, he's a Bills fan" response you often hear. You'll still be a pain in the ***, but everyone can look at the numbers and judge for themselves. What more could we ask for?

Thanks for all your efforts on this.:)

pats4life

12-30-2003, 09:02 PM

Nice work for all involved :)

Prime Time

12-30-2003, 09:28 PM

So you actually are good for something Clumpy :). Just joking man. Awesome job on the cap. I noticed some players are missing? Is it just data that is unavailable or what? Awesome job again.

Muck

12-30-2003, 11:28 PM

Click on the link underneath page's title. That takes you to the Free Agent Page. (http://www.finheaven.com/seasonal/freeagents.php) That's where you'll find the "missing players". :)

BuffBillsMan90

12-31-2003, 12:20 AM

:couch:

eltos_lightfoot

12-31-2003, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by clumpedplatelet
:couch:

clumpy rules!

I was just thinking the other day that I wished that we had a good page like the pats fans do.

:allhail:

Muck

12-31-2003, 12:28 PM

Yeah, thanks again Clumpy. This place has been fiending for a page like this for a long time. :)

dolphan39

12-31-2003, 03:44 PM

wow Clumpy that is kick arse.

I also was in FLA and took home and page the Sun posted with less detailed CAP info. I will cross check as soon as I can.

P.S. you s/not underline in posts since they would appear to be links but are not ;-)

Samphin

12-31-2003, 05:08 PM

Hey Clump, can you pop in Peyton Manning and his expected cap hit for us? Thanks :lol: :jk: You also forgot to thank me in your opening :(

Oh well, maybe if I had actually, you know, contributed I would have gotten thnaked (lousy stipulations).

But this is going to be hard to explain until they sign 52 players. :lol:

BTW I know that you know. $230. The only reason I noticed was I had to look up the column meaning. ;)

BuffBillsMan90

01-01-2004, 09:25 AM

Actually, I thought it didn't change to $230,000 until 2005 :lol:

NFLPA will be changing those salaries eventually

Fresh

01-02-2004, 06:51 AM

Props to you, Clump

PhinsTD

01-03-2004, 06:09 PM

Why would Thompson's savings 825k instead of 850k? Where does the extra 25k come from?

Why is Jay's cap dead money 3.720 mil? It appears he had an initial 3mil bonus when he signed that contract. If the option bonus is not paid would his cap hit not be 1.8 mil? I understand if I have his bonus wrong it would be more.

I don't research the bonuses as much as some. (I don't have near the time to do so)

BuffBillsMan90

01-20-2004, 05:35 AM

1st post edited 1/20/04

Muck

02-07-2004, 01:32 PM

Cap page updated 2/7/03

BuffBillsMan90

02-11-2004, 03:21 AM

During the off-season, the Top 51 rule applies. That rule states that the "top 51 cap charges plus all bonuses of those players not within the top 51 count vs cap"

Right now, the 52nd highest cap charge is $305,000

Thus, if one player is released or traded, this amount needs to be added back into the cap. If a player is signed and is part of the top 51 cap charges, this amount needs to be subtracted.

The column on the cap page that lists "Cap Savings Before 6/1" has been edited for your viewing pleasure ;) It includes the $305,000 adjustment but this column only applies if 1 player is released.

BuffBillsMan90

02-17-2004, 05:25 AM

Changes made to first post

Following changes will be made once Muck gets his happy arse up :D

1) WR Sam Simmons: he was released during his rookie season, thus his signing bonus applies to 2002 & 2003 cap yrs. $20,000 removed. This number was wrong anyhoo, it should have been $29,833 if it were still applicable. I should have caught this much sooner :shakeno:

3) QB Fiedler: changed amortization to $1,112,500. His initial signing bonus was $3 million. He also had a $1.25 million roster bonus in 2003 that was guaranteed(the 2003 Mare restructure gives enough credence to this). Thus, it was amortizaed at $312,500/season. 800,000 + 312,500= 1,112,500

4) LB Z. Thomas: it's apparent that his $4.5 million roster bonus will be guaranteed. Amortized at $900,000/season. Still likely that much of his $2.845 million salary will be guaranteed as well. When it happens, I'll make that changesaves $3.6 million

5) OL Dixon: his cap savings column should be $161,667

6) DL Jay Williams: his salary is now listed as 660K. Did he do a simple restructure or did he have an option payment? At this point, I do not have that info. His cap number will likely be higher once this info is available

Are you making this change based on what an Agent reportedly said or some paid for service is reporting said was done???

3) QB Fiedler: changed amortization to $1,112,500. His initial signing bonus was $3 million. He also had a $1.25 million roster bonus in 2003 that was guaranteed(the 2003 Mare restructure gives enough credence to this). Thus, it was amortizaed at $312,500/season. 800,000 + 312,500= 1,112,500

Which is the mistake the $3 million???
4/5=8 :)
Mare gives credence to the $1.25 million roster bonus???

When it happens, I'll make that change saves $3.6 million

I definitely agree, when it happens.

6) DL Jay Williams: his salary is now listed as 660K. Did he do a simple restructure or did he have an option payment? At this point, I do not have that info. His cap number will likely be higher once this info is available

I was kidding when I said it might be an option payment since we don't agree on the treatment of some option payments. :D

BuffBillsMan90

02-17-2004, 09:58 AM

I suspect that the Thompson thing will go through. If I need to change it, then I'll change it. By incorporating it, I can also show how it will affect the cap situation ;) I also do not suspect that Miami will release both McKnight and Thompson. You would have Chambers and who?

Mare did a simple restructure during the 2003 season. The cap savings was about $600,000(not worried about exact). It is my suspicion that Miami guaranteed Fiedler's roster bonus to clear cap space before 2003 League Year began. It's a difference of about $900,000(again, exact numbers not needed to explain). The fact that Miami needed to do the simple restructure to find cap space for injury replacements during the season gives me enough info to believe that they guaranteed it, otherwise, my numbers would have them over the cap even with the Mare restructure. Again, if this is wrong, I can easily correct it but it does make sense as Miami has shown the willingness to follow this methodology.

Bledsoe's $7 million option doesn't count vs Bills cap until exercised. Roster bonuses count, some option payments/bonuses don't until exercised. Why it is that some bonuses are delayed for cap purposes?

Merman

02-17-2004, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by clumpedplatelet
I suspect that the Thompson thing will go through. If I need to change it, then I'll change it. By incorporating it, I can also show how it will affect the cap situation ;) I also do not suspect that Miami will release both McKnight and Thompson. You would have Chambers and who?

Not to beat a dead horse but with that reasoning then you should show every player with a pre-season roster bonus as pro-rated to show the effect. Thomas too. ???

Mare did a simple restructure during the 2003 season. The cap savings was about $600,000(not worried about exact). It is my suspicion that Miami guaranteed his roster bonus to clear cap space before 2003 League Year began. It's a difference of about $900,000(again, exact numbers not needed to explain). The fact that Miami needed to do the simple restructure to find cap space for injury replacements during the season gives me enough info to believe that they guaranteed it, otherwise, my numbers would have them over the cap even with the Mare restructure. Again, if this is wrong, I can easily correct it but it does make sense as Miami has shown the willingness to follow this methodology.

Mare's comment was part of the Fiedler comment so I still don't understand the relevance. :confused:
Mare was restructed in October 2003.

Bledsoe's $7 million option doesn't count vs Bills cap until exercised. Roster bonuses count, some option payments/bonuses don't until exercised. Why it is that some bonuses are delayed for cap purposes?

I am sure we would have to get into many individually and ask Adam for precise contract details.

Remember the side letter I quoted that a roster bonus may be considered NLTBE???

Just curious why you are so sure that Bledsoe's option should not be included in Team Salary until exercised. Didn't he already have an option picked up???

Eshlemon

02-28-2004, 02:40 PM

Excellent job clump. Impressed and appreciative of all the work you put in. Have a question about some future info. I know Miami has to make room available for any resticted FA by 3/3 but when does Miami have to make room for players in the rookie draft pool? Also, how much does a team usually set aside for injury & practice squad players?

BuffBillsMan90

03-01-2004, 12:35 PM

Sorry, I just noticed this question.

Rookie draft pool: If I understand your question, you are asking about the rookie cap. Each team is alloted a "rookie pool" that they can utilize to sign their drafted players. Signing bonuses of undrafted rookies also count vs. rookie pool. The rookie pool is not available until after the draft because it is based upon no. of picks, rds and positions of those picks. Once the amount of the rookie pool is determined, the teams have that much space to sign the players. One thing, the rookie pool has commonly been to referred to as "a cap within a cap". It is not separate from the overall cap.

Usually teams like to set aside enough cap space to sign 2 or 3 players. Approx. $1 million.

Practice squad counts vs cap. Last year, to have a full PS each week, it was approx. $400,000

Eshlemon

03-01-2004, 10:54 PM

No problem, thanks for getting back to me.

After the Vikes "pass" last year (by their or the Raven's mistake) do you think we could see more of this from small market teams trying to save money? Also, many owner's despise paying rookies so much guaranteed money...owner tell's the GM if you're not 150% sure this guy's gonna get me my money's worth let's slide down a few spots, save a couple million and use that cap space on a proven free agent. Assuming no one will trade down with them.

I know it's annoying speculation but that's what the offseason drives us to.

SMadison29

03-09-2004, 10:47 AM

So what's the new updated cap figure with Madison restructuring & the recent signings?

I hope you're not slipping on us Clump :)

BuffBillsMan90

03-09-2004, 04:03 PM

:couch:

SMadison29

03-09-2004, 07:56 PM

Yep, I'm confused too. :smackhead

Muck

03-11-2004, 10:21 AM

Updated :cool:

BuffBillsMan90

03-11-2004, 10:40 AM

:woot:

Buf in TB

08-05-2004, 10:32 AM

Wow that was very good Clumpy!

MarinoIsGod

10-03-2004, 10:11 PM

Clump, if Feeley continues on his current path and the Phins decide to draft a QB this year what would the cap ramifications be for cutting Feeley?